Red Mica Powder - What makes it red?

Red mica powder is one of the most widely used effect pigments in blushers, nail polish, paints, resins, cosmetics, soaps and of course lipstick.

The majority of red micas are made from pulverised muscovite rock and then coated with colouroxides or lakes. Once the mica is processed and debri removed the mica is divided into different particle sizes of 60, 100, 200 microns(um) depending on where it is going to be used. With the 60 micron size being the most popular.

It is then coated with titanium dioxide, tin dioxide or iron oxide to make a red interference colour. This is where the mica powder appears white at first glance but when viewed from an angle it has a red hue. The mica can also be coated with the same oxide pigments to create a solid red colour.

The colour matte pigments are coated across the surface of the mica particles in different thicknesses to create the final red colour. The thickness of the coating interferes with the light that hits the surface of the mica resulting in light being reflected and or refracted.

The lightwaves that are reflected back to your eyes are on the red spectrum between 620 to 750 nanometres. This causes you to see the mica powder as red.

Our red mica powders are cruelty free, ethically sourced, vegan and not tested on animals.

They are available in a range of colours from Pinky Reds, Hot Vibrant reds and Deep Maroon colours.

See some of our recommendations below.

Lipstick, Lip Gloss and Lip balm – Bordeaux Red, Red Riot, Strawberry Pink

Nail Polish – Rock Star Red, Bordeaux Red, Red Chromatic mica pigment (this is an interference mica with a striking red colour shift)

Soap – Rock Star Red, Red Riot, Terracotta Red - These are some of our strongest reds which work well in cold process soap.